Sunday, May 2, 2021

Review of Gremlin Week - Two Appliances Bit the Dust

 
Gremlin week was expensive

This past week was 'everything broke' week. Literally. 

We had to make two substantial purchases to replace the items the Gremlins busted.

The Microwave Bit The Dust

So there I am in the kitchen, minding my own business, reaching for something as my hand brushes the top of the microwave when I notice that thing that makes you go 'hmmm; heat on the top exterior of it.

My son had just made popcorn, running it for four minutes or so. However, it shouldn't have been on the hot side to touch the exterior ... or so I thought?

So doubting myself, I called one of my brothers and asked him to run his microwave to see if it was hot to touch on the exterior after use. Because, seriously, I was just second-guessing myself ... had I just never noticed that the exterior of the microwave got so hot?

My brother confirmed my thoughts; my microwave shouldn't be hot to the touch after use. In fact, it was so hot, I couldn't really touch the top.

Yes, I googled till the cows came home on this scenario, and just like google, the responses were a mixed bag of nothing concrete.

So I decided to give the microwave one last, quick try. 

And that's when it happened. The entire thing started to spark. OMG. Scared the living crap out of me. Quickly the beast was unplugged, and off I went to Amazon (Amazon, you are way too convenient) and ordered a new one.

My criteria was very specific: inexpensive - and that's it. 

Why inexpensive? Because since we've owned this house, nearly thirty years, we've gone through at least four microwaves. So all I wanted was something that didn't break the bank.

Here's what we selected. Oh, and I threw in a picture of my favorite red wine and some Lemoncella - just in case you're having a Gremlin week.

Here's the one we purchased on Amazon
Read the reviews, went for the price. Inexpensive. So far so good. Working fine.

The Central Vacuum Unit Went to the Big One in the Sky

Hubby was vacuuming something up in the laundry room ... minding his own business .... when poof, the central vacuum system ceased. He stepped into the garage to smell smoke, and yep, our central vacuum unit reached the end of its appliance life.

I am not complaining though, because we bought and installed our Electrolux Central Vacuum system in 1994 - It lasted 27 years!! It's been the ONLY appliance that hasn't broken down until now. They don't make them like that anymore!

My brother informed me that Beam bought out Electrolux. He put a Beam central vacuum system in his house not too long ago. 

Strangely enough, my mother's central vacuum system also died this year. She went ahead and put a Beam central vacuum system. Actually, my brother helped her pick it out. He's handy; he installed it.

I decided to check Amazon and go with something a bit less in price. The Beam central vacuum (just the unit that hangs on the wall) cost my mom about $795 (Canadian) - yah, we live in Canada.

Here's the central vacuum unit we selected - An Ovo. The unit itself cost us $399 (Canadian). We don't need any piping or vacuum parts. Our old ones still work.


Available on Amazon

It's a pretty darn powerful vacuum system. It works for homes up to 7000 square feet, and our home isn't anywhere near that size. With the basement, we're about 3500 square feet. So it'll be fine. Plus it offers a ten-year warranty.

Since we've just purchased these items, I can't give you a detailed review of how they've performed yet, but I'll be surprised if there's a problem. I'm not anticipating any problems. So far, so good.

So now I'm heading off to enjoy a glass of wine - the one that's sitting beside the microwave in that photo up there. 

It was a cha-ching week. Yuk. I hate shopping. Actually, I hate spending money, but it had to be done.

Gremlin week sucks.




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


8 comments:

  1. W0w - two appliances out at once. I had one go out about 2 months ago. My microwave began making strange noises as it revolved and finally quit altogether. It was one my son gave me several years ago when they did a kitchen remodel which included a built in microwave. I loved that microwave; used it all the time. And it lasted a LONG time. How long, you ask? My son/DIL used to heat my grandson's baby bottles in it .... and Ryan graduated high school last year. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yikes!!! I am so sorry that you had those issues in the same week. It seems like when one thing breaks down, another thing will join it. I now know its called Gremlin week.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow!! Two in one week, the Gremlins were hard at work at your house. Just finish the bottle of wine and don't worry about anything!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Two in one week is a bit much, but just think it is better to get it all over with at once! Enjoy your new appliances.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, Barbara, I feel your pain! With something like a microwave, unless you actually use all the fancy bells and whistles, I think it makes the most sense to go with a simple, inexpensive unit from a reliable brand that gets good reviews. The fewer bells and whistles, the less risk of things going wrong (or blowing up!). I love the idea of a central vacuum. John and I were just talking about it as part of our brainstorming for my crafting and jewelry studio redesign!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It does seem that things often happen in multiples and can have a devastating effect on us financially, as well as stressing us to the max. It sounds like you expeditiously expelled your gremlins. Good for you! Hope the gremlins have learned their lesson now and will leave you alone.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh so sorry to hear of your Gremlin week! Its awful when several appliances go at once and can be really expensive replacing them. We have had a couple go at the same time a few years ago and it is frustrating. So happy that you were able to find good replacements at decent prices. Hopefully now you will be OK for a long time :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Barbara, I'm so sorry you had a Gremlin week! There must be something in the air, because our microwave is also on it's last legs! Good to see the one you purchased because I'm with you on that appliance, give me something that aorks without spending the BIG BUCKS! Glad to have your input!

    ReplyDelete

Most Recent Reviews on Review This Reviews






Search for Reviews by Subject, Author or Title

The Review This Reviews Contributors



SylvestermouseSylvestermouseDawn Rae BDawn Rae BMbgPhotoMbgPhotoBrite-IdeasBrite-IdeasWednesday ElfWednesday ElfOlivia MorrisOlivia MorrisTreasures by BrendaTreasures by BrendaThe Savvy AgeThe Savvy AgeMargaret SchindelMargaret SchindelRaintree AnnieRaintree AnnieLou16Lou16Sam MonacoSam MonacoTracey BoyerTracey BoyerRenaissance WomanRenaissance WomanBarbRadBarbRadBev OwensBev OwensBuckHawkBuckHawkDecorating for EventsDecorating for EventsHeather426Heather426Coletta TeskeColetta TeskeMissMerFaeryMissMerFaeryMickie_GMickie_G

 


Review This Reviews is Dedicated to the Memory of Our Beloved Friend and Fellow Contributor

Susan DeppnerSusan Deppner

We may be apart, but
You Are Not Forgotten





“As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and or Etsy (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from purchases.” Disclosure Statement

X